Retiring Guy's Digest: 2014-08-03

Saturday, August 9, 2014

The Heinz/Trivial Pursuit Connection

Noticed this label at the Sport Bowl this evening.

What's the scoop? I wondered.

Heinz (2014 copyright)

Quadrant Marketing: Trivial Pursuit promotion.

Just hope the bottle isn't from the first promotion.

'80s-Themed Promo No Trivial Pursuit For Heinz. (Media Post, 12/1/2006)
Heinz® Ketchup and Trivial Pursuit® Team up to Kick off World’s Largest Trivia Game. (Business Wire, 12/1/2006)
Heinz lends 200 million labels to Trivial Pursuit. (Chief Marketer, 12/5/2006)

Root beer float Oreos? It's not a hoax, Consumerist!

Here's the evidence at Woodman's West in Madison, Wisconsin.

Root Beer Float Oreos Are Now Available In Stores, We Think (Consumerist, 7/23/2014)

Tiedeman Pond was Ready for Its Close-Up

Photo by Retiring Guy

Loving Toxic Waste

County of 95 Sees Opportunity in Toxic Waste. (The New York Times, 8/7/2014)

Correction: Loving the money. Officials here hope to entice the federal government — with $28 billion to spend on the disposal of high-level radioactive waste — into considering the possibility.

Loving County, represented by the reddish dashes on the map, is located just west of Kermit, a metropolis of 5,000.

History of Loving County. (Yes, it's short.)

Scott Walker Joins the 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Wooing Game of Hispanic Voters

Wooing Hispanic Voters at Home, Republicans Turn to Latin America. (The New York Times, 8/7/2014)

Dear Senor Nieto. Mr. Walker, the Wisconsin governor, has spent the past year making the case to Mexico’s president that his state’s swelling Hispanic population, which exceeds 355,000, merits the creation of a new consulate to handle their needs.

In a letter to Mr. Peña Nieto’s office, Mr. Walker boasted of Wisconsin’s $2.2 billion in exports to Mexico and sister-state relationship with Jalisco, on Mexico’s west coast. “Wisconsin,” he wrote, “has built a tremendous relationship with Mexico over the years.” (The Mexican government is still considering the request.)

Protective services offered:

Provide for the legal representation of Mexican nationals that face judicial processes.
Corroborate the well being of Mexican nationals that are in custody of local authorities.
Offer counsel about the rights and obligations under labor, civil, immigration and criminal law.
Outreach to the community.
Locate missing relatives in Mexico.
Obtain vital records in Mexico.
Repatriate minors and vulnerable persons.
Provide for the appropriate legal representation and interpretation for Mexican nationals under custody
Assist in the family reunification of minors.
Assist victims of Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking and Hate crimes.
Assist in the prosecution of human traffickers and seek suitable remedies for the victims.

States where a Mexican consulate is not located (22):

Alabama
Connecticut
Delaware
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland
New Hampshire
New Jersey
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

According to the 2010 U.S.Census, Wisconsin ranks 24th in Hispanic and Latino population.

Open Libraries, Unlock Potential: Friends of the Dallas Public Library's Grassroots Advocacy Campaign

Proposed Dallas budget would cut cops, boost streets and libraries. (Dallas News, 8/8/2014)

Friends of the Library advocacy pays off. One example is the library system. Friends of the Dallas Public Library this year launched a campaign for more library funding, arguing that the libraries’ share of the city budget had dropped in recent years.

Before 2008, libraries got about 3 percent of the general fund, the group said. It would now take an additional $10 million to restore that funding level, it said.

Gonzalez is recommending $3 million more for libraries in next year’s budget, plus another $3 million the following year. That would allow 12 library branches and the central library downtown to extend their operating hours, he said.

The next step of the advocacy process. The budget still needs to be approved by the city council.

Mayor Mike Rawlings seems to be on board with an increase in the library budget.

Mayor Mike Rawlings challenges Dallas City Council to make tough budget cuts. (Dallas News, 6/18/2014)

But to the tune of $3,000,000? The mayor also said more funding is needed to allow city libraries to open on Sundays.

Maybe it has something to do with the hardhat

Tom Tiffany protects himself from the facts.

Public Deserves Results, Not Petty Blame. (News from Bob Jauch, 8/4/2014)

He's Tom Terrific, greatest hero ever to Gogebic Taconite LLC. Instead of joining us in a bi-partisan effort to promote a solution to a problem our Republican colleague Senator Tom Tiffany has issued a rambling and misinformed partisan diatribe that attacks my colleagues and I of being part of the “liberal left war on coal” and accuses my colleagues of “Madison double talk” because their effort to improve the transportation of coal is somehow a violation of their environmental record.

Senator Tiffany’s column demonstrates complete ignorance of the real problem when he blames the Obama administration, along with its allies in the Wisconsin Legislature , for using the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as attack dogs in the war on coal that is leading to coal shortages along t he Mississippi. Apparently, he is so desperate to vent his partisan hostility that he fails to understand that the problem is due to transportation backlog and not a failure to produce enough coal.

Other mining posts:
In other words, Kevin, people don't want to live near a frac sand mining operation. (8/7/2014)
UPDATED: Scott Walker continues his "Thank You for Your Contributions" tour. (8/3/2014)
What a mere $8,000 will buy you in the Scott Walker House of Favors, (3/30/2014)
Frac sand mining and property values: Homeowners vs. landowners. (3/30/2014)
Nevertheless, transparency would have been in the general pubic's best interest. (3/15/2014)
Wisconsin Towns Association has second thoughts about that "gentler" frac sand mining regulation bill. (3/4/014)
Scott Walker likely to support Tom Tiffany's new mining bill. (2/27/2014)
The vision of Trempealeau County as one big mining operation -- nipped in the bud. (2/20/2014)
Glenwood City Council members defeat their recall challengers by a hair. (12/18/2013)
Wyoming's Republican Governor has a message for Wisconsin mining industry's "Tom Terrific". (11/24/2013)
The mining industry's "Tom Terrific" gets pushback from his Republican colleagues. (11/18/2013)
In so many words: Dear Sen. Tiffany, Your bill sucks, Sincerely, Pepin County Board. (11/13/2013)
Follow the Gogebic money. (11/7/2013)
Sand mine industry leaders put our minds at ease. (11/5/2013)
Scott Walker donor promises jobs, permanence for Independence and Whitehall residents. (10/29/2013)
Sen. Tom Tiffany's sand mine bill a hot potato. (10/28/2013)
Another Walker campaign donor for SB349. (10/25/2013)
Expensive to the Tune of $430,505.49 (as of June 30, 2013). (10/25/2013)
The Nipper Chronicles: The frac sand mining masters speak. (10/18/2013)
Things aren't so tranquil in Glenwood City Wisconsin lately (10/10/2013)

Friday, August 8, 2014

Bill, we have a probelms

I'm hoping you'll change it.

Paid for by Bill Ingram Campaign Committee, LLC, Bill Ingram, Treasurer

Wisconsin State Senate District 25: Who's on the Ballot for the August 12 Primary?

2 Republicans vying to challenge the Democratic incumbent.

Public libraries in the 93rd Assembly District
Altoona Public Library
Arcadia Public Library
Black River Falls Public Library
Blair-Preston Public Library
Durand Community Library
Ellsworth Public Library
Elmwood Public Library
Independence Public Library
L. E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, Eau Claire
Mondovi Public Library
Pepin Public Library
Plum City Public Library
Prescott Public Library
Shirley M. Wright Memorial Library, Trempealeau
Strum Public Library
Whitehall Public Library

Academic libraries
Chippewa Valley Technical College Library, Eau Claire
McIntyre Library, UW-Eau Claire

The 2 Republican candidates

Candidate biographies

The winner of the August 12 primary will face Sen. Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) in the November 4 general election.

About Kathleen:

Home: Alma
Occupation: Organic farmer
Elected office/memberships: Wisconsin State Senate (since 2006)

NoRoJo2016: Time to "Ween Off" Ron Johnson

Johnson: Time to 'ween off' government. (Green Bay Press Gazette, 8/7/2014)

The choice of venue is all we need to know. Johnson, a first-term Republican from Oshkosh, made his plea while giving his "State of the Nation" presentation Thursday at the Globe University campus in Bellevue.

Related reading:
Schools defend for-profit model in wake of report. (La Crosse Tribune, 8/2/2012)

Link to full report

U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions

Related NoRoJo2016 posts:
Chapter 1. (1/2/2013)
Chapter 2. (1/10/2013)
Chapter 3. (2/12/2013)
Chapter 4. (2/13/2013)
Chapter 5 (3/11/2013)
Chapter 6. (3/25/2013)
Chapter 7. (4/8/2013)
Chapter 8. (4/9/2013)
Chapter 9. (4/12/2013)
Chapter 10. (4/14/2013)
Chapter 11. (5/2/2013)
Chapter 12. (8/15/2013)
Chapter 13: One-trick pony? (10/17/2013)
Chapter 14. (10/24/2013)
Chapter 15. (2/19/2014)
Chapter 16. (3/15/2014)
Ron Johnson for President? Well, he might as well give it a go since he's not going to be re-elected U.S. Senator. (5/14/2014)
Ron Johnson: The sunshine of their love. (6/18/2014)
Chapter 19. If only: The early arrival of NoRoJo16. (7/21/2014)
Chapter 20: As if we need more evidence. (8/3/2014)

In the News: Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board

Source: Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau

Memo: Wisconsin Students Can't Get Higher Ed Grants Because Of Depleted Funds. (Wisconsin Public Radio, 8/7/2014)

Tax cuts trump funding for education. The Wisconsin grants program has been around since the late 1960s. It provides need-based grants to state residents who are looking to pursue undergraduate studies at University of Wisconsin institutions, Wisconsin technical colleges, private and non-profit schools in the state and tribal colleges.

According to a memo released last week by the state's nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, about 3,581 UW students and 37,844 technical college applicants were denied financial assistance during the past year. That's because the $58-million program ran out of money.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Selection, of course, is based purely on merit

Finalists named for Kenosha circuit judgeship. (Kenosha News, 5/23/2014)

What's the scoop?. Four finalists have been named in the search for a judge to replace retiring Kenosha Circuit Judge Wilbur Warren III.

Eight people applied with the governor’s office for the judicial vacancy. Warren will leave the bench on Aug. 18, one year before his term would have ended.

Gov. Scott Walker will appoint his successor, who would be expected to run for re-election in April.

And the winner is:

Not saying that these campaign contributions have anything to do with his appointment. (8/7/2014)

Not Saying That These Campaign Contributions Have Anything to Do With His Appointment

Governor Scott Walker Appoints Kenosha County Judge. (Office of the Governor news release, 8/7/2014)

A little about David Wilk. Wilk is a partner at the firm of Guttormsen, Hartley, Wilk & Higgins, LLP, where he has a diverse practice in the areas of family law, social security disability, worker’s compensation, business litigation, and personal injury.

When following the money at the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign website, we learn that Wilk has recently contributed $100 to Scott Walker.

A little bit more about David Wilk. Wilk is a graduate of Lawrence University and of Hamline University School of Law. He resides in Kenosha with his wife Lynn and two children.

David's wife has contributed $917 to Scott Walker, although $200 is in conjunction with her husband.

Can We Expect That Jay Schroeder Will Trounce His Opponents in Tuesday's 55th Assembly District Primary?

He's got the Facebook "like" advantage. Big-time.

Are these numbers in any way meaningful? Or do we have here a variation of the political adage, "Yard signs don't vote"?

Stay tuned. We'll find out on Tuesday evening.

Related post:
Wisconsin State Assembly District 55: Who's on the Ballot for the August 12 Primary? (7/3/2014)

Wisconsin Assembly Candidate Denounces Tax Breaks for Wind Energy but Conveniently Overlooks What Big Oil Receives

EDITORIAL: 59th Assembly Candidate Jesse Kremer Discusses Minimum Wage & Wind Energy. (Jesse Kremer for Assembly campaign website)

Triumph of the Drill. (Mother Jones, 4/14/2014)

Jesse Kremer's phony-baloney free market in action. Over the past century, the federal government has pumped more than $470 billion into the oil and gas industry in the form of generous, never-expiring tax breaks. Once intended to jump-start struggling domestic drillers, these incentives have become a tidy bonus for some of the world's most profitable companies.

Taxpayers currently subsidize the oil industry by as much as $4.8 billion a year, with about half of that going to the big five oil companies—ExxonMobil, Shell, Chevron, BP, and ConocoPhillips—which get an average tax break of $3.34 on every barrel of domestic crude they produce.

Just What the Wisconsin Legislature Needs: Another ALEC Disciple

EDITORIAL: 59th Assembly Candidate Jesse Kremer Discusses Minimum Wage & Wind Energy. (Jesse Kremer for Assembly campaign website)

Photo source: Jesse Kremer for Assembl y

American Legislative Exchange Council

Other ALEC posts:
Missouri voters enshrine ALEC's "Right to Farm" idea within its state constitution. (8/6/2014)
Welcome to Todd Grayson's Alice-in-Wonderland world. (7/19/2014)
I'd like to suggest some alternate wording, please: Cross out "Legislative committees are", insert "The American Legislative Exchange Council is". (4/16/2014)
Meet Chris Kapenga, R-Waterboy, representing the grate state of ALEC. (2/18/2014)
Sen. Paul Farrow throws a hissy fit (which is transcribed in this news release). (2/7/2014)
Also known Aas the American Legislative Exchange Council's Super-Majority Act. (12/24/2013)
Robin Vos believes in selective transparency of the kind advanced by the American Legislative Exchange Council. (12/24/2013)
Background on the National Conference of State Legislatures for Leah. (12/12/2013)
ALEC transparency? Up to a point. (12/12/2013)
From ALEC to Andre to us: Rep. Jacque (R-DePere) whittles model bill down to the basics. (9/1/2013)
NRA/ALEC "Docs and Glocks" law finally makes its way to Wisconsin. (6/18/2013)
Robin Vos, "an ALEC Wisconsin Foot Soldier" (SourceWatch). (6/13/2013) Pat McCrory Cain't Say "No" to ALEC.. (6/10/2013)
ALEC'd to Death: Wisconsin Republicans Continues to Depend on the Koch Brothers' Playbook. (6/7/2013)
ALEC's State Budget Reform Toolkit: "Asset Sale and Lease Opportunities". (6/6/2013)
Selling State Properties? It's in the ALEC Playbook. (5/22/2013)More cookie-cutter legislation from ALEC. (4/7/2013)
The New York Times Provides an overview of school choice without mentioning ALEC's orchestration. (3/28/2013)
Selling state properties: It's in the ALEC toolkit. (2/17/2013)
Performance funding: They love this stuff at the Lumina Foundation and ALEC. (11/19/2012)
Splashy full-page ad for a movie few want to see. (9/30/2012)
AT&;T, ALEC have their way with South Carolina legislature. (7/2/2012)
What the Koch Brothers left under Scott Walker's 2010 Christmas tree. (6/19/2012)“
….really, what ALEC is, is a bipartisan association of state legislators….” (Wisconsin State Senate version, 4/10/2012)“

In other words, Kevin, people don't want to live near a frac sand mining operation

County Requires Frac Sand Companies To Begin Mining Within One Year Of Getting Permit. (Wisconsin Public Radio, 8/6/2014)

Photo credit: Wisconsin Public Radio

Other frac sand mining posts:
UPDATED: Scott Walker continues his "Thank You for Your Contributions" tour. (8/3/2014)
What a mere $8,000 will buy you in the Scott Walker House of Favors, (3/30/2014)
Frac sand mining and property values: Homeowners vs. landowners. (3/30/2014)
Nevertheless, transparency would have been in the general pubic's best interest. (3/15/2014)
Wisconsin Towns Association has second thoughts about that "gentler" frac sand mining regulation bill. (3/4/014)
Scott Walker likely to support Tom Tiffany's new mining bill. (2/27/2014)
The vision of Trempealeau County as one big mining operation -- nipped in the bud. (2/20/2014)
Glenwood City Council members defeat their recall challengers by a hair. (12/18/2013)
Wyoming's Republican Governor has a message for Wisconsin mining industry's "Tom Terrific". (11/24/2013)
The mining industry's "Tom Terrific" gets pushback from his Republican colleagues. (11/18/2013)
In so many words: Dear Sen. Tiffany, Your bill sucks, Sincerely, Pepin County Board. (11/13/2013)
Follow the Gogebic money. (11/7/2013)
Sand mine industry leaders put our minds at ease. (11/5/2013)
Scott Walker donor promises jobs, permanence for Independence and Whitehall residents. (10/29/2013)
Sen. Tom Tiffany's sand mine bill a hot potato. (10/28/2013)
Another Walker campaign donor for SB349. (10/25/2013)
Expensive to the Tune of $430,505.49 (as of June 30, 2013). (10/25/2013)
The Nipper Chronicles: The frac sand mining masters speak. (10/18/2013)
Things aren't so tranquil in Glenwood City Wisconsin lately (10/10/2013)

CEO at the Top of his Game

Kestrel CEO: Financing puzzle still coming together, not complete. (Superior Telegram, 8/5/2014)

More on Alan Klapmeier.

Related post:
Kestrel Aircraft: All these incentives, but no construction, no jobs. (7/13/2014)

Wisconsin Nullification Brigade

For some candidates, nullification a key campaign theme. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,8/6/2014)

Steitz expressed surprise that his views were so easily accessible. Jonathan Steitz — a Republican taking on former Sen. Van Wanggaard — told a libertarian website that he would support a controversial bill dubbed the Firearms Protection Act.

The website describes the measure as protecting "residents of Wisconsin from unconstitutional federal infringements on their Second Amendment rights by asserting the state's Tenth Amendment rights."

The proposal also would carry some unspecified penalties. In other words, it would allow the state to nullify federal gun regulations. A similar law approved by Kansas lawmakers — called the Second Amendment Protection Act — is tied up in court.

No current members of the State Senate and Assembly say that they support the proposal.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Fabulous Felonious Brothers Tour in the Offing?

Or will Christie and Walker not cross paths during the big guy's visit? (As yet unscheduled.)

New Jersey's Chris Christie plans to visit Wisconsin to back Scott Walker. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8/5/2014)

A dilemma for Scott "Eyes on the White House" Walker. Christie has traveled to more than a dozen states this year to campaign for Republican candidates. Although he hasn't come to Wisconsin yet, he told the New Jersey newspaper that he plans to visit in September or October to support Walker in his race against Democratic challenger Mary Burke. Christie said he is waiting for Walker's formal invitation before visiting.

Related post:
Meet the Fabulous Felonious Brothers. (6/21/2014)

Wisconsin Assembly District 97: Facebook Likes and Primary Votes

Is there any electoral merit to the numbers in column 3?

Stay tuned. We'll find out next Tuesday evening.

Related post:
Wisconsin State Assembly District 97: Who's on the ballot for the August 12 primary? (8/2/2014)

Wisconsin State Senate District 25: Who's on the Ballot for the August 12 Primary?

Open seat. Incumbent not running for re-election.

The 25th Senate District includes....

...the 73rd Assembly District represented by Nick Milroy (D-South Range), first elected in 2008.

Public libraries in the 73rd Assembly District.
Spooner Memorial Library
Superior Public Library, including branches

Imogene McGrath Memorial Library, Lake Nebagamon
Joan Salmen Memorial Library, Solon Springs

Academic library
Jim Dan Hill Library, UW-Superior

...the 74th Assembly District, represented by Janet Bewley (D-Ashland), first elected in 2010.

Public libraries in the 74th Assembly District.
Bayfield Carnegie Library
Drummond Public Library
Evelyn Goldberg Briggs Memorial Library, Iron River
Forest Lodge Library, Cable
Hurley Public Library
Legion Memorial Library, Mellen
Madeline Island Public Library
Mercer Public Library
Ogema Public Library
Park Falls Public Library
Phillips Public Library
Vaughn Public Library, Ashland
Washburn Public Library

...the 75th Assembly District, represented by Stephen Smith (D-Shell Lake), first elected in 2012.

Public libraries in the 75th Assembly District
Barron Public Library
Calhoun Memorial Library, Chetek
Cameron Public Library
Clear Lake Public Library
Rice Lake Public Library
Shell Lake Public Library
Thomas St. Angelo Public Library, Cumberland
Turtle Lake Public Library

The 3 Democratic candidates

Candidate biographies

The winner of the August 12 primary will face the Republican candidate Dane Deutsch in the November 4 general election.

About Dane:

Home: Rice Lake
Occupation: Business owner
Elected office/memberships: National trainer, Character Counts

Sen. Bob Jauch (D-Poplar) current represents the 25th District. Jauch has served in the State Senate since 1987. He also served 2 terms (1983-1987) in the State Assembly.

Related posts
Who's running unopposed in the Senate and Assembly? (6/16/2014)

August 12 primaries (State Assembly)
Assembly District 1. (6/17/2014)
Assembly District 4. (6/18/2014)
Assembly District 8. (6/19/2014)
Assembly District 10. (6/20/2014)
Assembly District 16. (6/20/2014)
Assembly District 19. (6/22/2014)
Assembly District 20 (6/23/2014)
Assembly District 22 (6/24/2014)
Assembly District 26 (6/25/2014)
Assembly District 27. (6/26/2014)
Assembly District 33. (6/27/2014)
Assembly District 43. (6/30/2014)
Assembly District 45. (7/1/2014)
Assembly District 51. (7/2/2014)
Assembly District 55. (7/3/2014)
Assembly District 58. (7/7/2013)
Assembly District 59. (7/9/2013)
Assembly District 63 (7/12/2013)
Assembly District 72. (7/14/2014)
Assembly District 75. (7/17/2014)
Assembly District 78. (7/20/2014)
Assembly District 81. (7/25/2014)
Assembly District 87. (7/31/2014)
Assembly District 97. (8/2/2014)

August 12 primaries (State Senate)
Senate District 15. (8/3/2014)
Senate District 17. (8/4/2014)
Senate District 21. (8/5/.2014)

Missouri Voters Enshrine ALEC's "Right to Farm" Idea Within Its State Constitution

Missouri Weighs Unusual Addition to Its Constitution: Right to Farm. (The New York Times, 8/3/2014)

The narrow margin of victory will likely result in a recount.

Yes: 498,751
No: 496,223

ALEC Right to Farm Act

Factory Farms. (Family Farm Defenders, 10/6/2011)

Corporations are citizens, too! As early as 1996, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) based in Washington DC began pushing factory farms through its model “Right to Farm” legislation that was soon cropping up in state capitols across the country. This work helped set the precedent for preemption, where state laws such as Wisconsin’s own Livestock Siting Legislation can trump any township or county regulations, eroding local democracy and basically forcing communities to accept factory farms whether they like them or not.

ALEC Exposed: Protecting Factory Farms and Sewage Sludge? (The Center for Media and Democracy's PR Watch, 8/4/2011)

ALEC's corporate backers. ALEC's corporate members and funders have included a number of agriculture interests, including Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Cargill, and DuPont, as well as industry organizations like the National Pork Producers Council, the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, and the Illinois Soybean Association.

Missouri's Amendment 1 was brought to you in part by Cargill.

Ashland 'right to farm' rally halted after debate during question-and-answer session. (Columbia Daily Tribune, 7/16/2014)

Missouri stands with their corporate citizens. While others clapped at the mention of Monsanto’s name during the question-and-answer session, Welch said she’s concerned about Monsanto supporting the measure and how the amendment’s passing could affect the environment in Missouri. A political action committee backing the “right to farm” amendment, Missouri Farmers Care, includes Cargill, MFA and Monsanto. Missouri Farmers Care reported about $190,000 in contributions in the April-June quarter, with about $478,000 cash on hand at the end of the quarter.

But Cargill and Monsanto don't return the favor. You won't find their logos or names among the list of supporters.

But you will find the name and logo of those lovable puppy mill suppliers.

Golf's Marshmallow Move

Golf Resorts Change Course To Attract Younger Generation. (The New York Times, 8/4/2014)

Getting more people to golf. Resorts are pondering that question, too, making changes that would have been unthinkable even a decade ago,

adding

speakers to golf carts and
Wi-Fi access on the course,

building

high-tech training centers and
miniature golf putting courses, and

peppering corporate golf events with tangentially related activities like

using golf clubs to hit marshmallows or
throwing Frisbees around the course.

Wondering how that marshmallow thing works? Here are a couple of examples.

This doesn't look like a sustainable, long-term business strategy to me.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Oops! I left my magnifier at home

Orange arrow indicates approximate vantage point.

Where's Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox When You Need Them on Library Security Detail?

Postcard from Retiring Guy's collection

Below: That's my dad and me at Paul's right leg. (Poorly framed photo taken by my cousin Roger in July 1951. From the Nelson Family archives.)

CITY COUNCIL: ‘Wave’ of unruly patrons disrupts library, manager says. (Bemidji Pioneer, 8/4/2014)

Feeling their oats at the Bemidji Public Library. The incidents center around patrons smoking on library property, refusing to turn down music and not taking cell phone calls to study rooms rather than the main atrium, he said.

Although the incidents constitute a very small percentage of overall library use, the “aggressiveness, the language, the vehemence” of the patrons was unusually inappropriate, Ericsson said.

"Rizzoli & Isles" Earnestly Repeated Dialogue: "Jane, are you OK?"

My wife is switching between this show and the Brewers game.

Of course, all of this reminds me of an earnestly sung song.

Peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1980

Ebooks, Netflix, and Library Building Projects (Part 118, Garfield Park Branch of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library)

UPDATE: ‘Mayor of Garfield Park’ Margie Nackenhorst dies at age 94, (Indianapolis Star, 3/2/2014)

Decades of advocacy. Since the 1950s, she was a cheerleader for community development that pushed Indianapolis to conserve and to reinvest in the city’s oldest park. She was an honorary director for the Friends of Garfield Park, a nonprofit group dedicated to preserving the facility and supporting its programs.

Remodeled Garfield Park Branch Library to celebrate Thursday. (Indianapolis Star, 11/1/2011)

Excerpt: The 46-year-old building at 2502 Shelby St. has a new name (it was formerly the Shelby branch), environmentally friendly features and new amenities.

The renovations cost nearly $400,000 and were paid for by a grant from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation.

Here are five cool things you'll see when you visit

Storytelling garden
21-station computer lab
Green features
Central information desk
Bike rack

Bladder Problem?

photo by retiring guy

Doris Look See (1922-2014) Warren High School Class of 1941

Warren Times Observer

1941 Dragon yearbook

Doris is described as follows. Someday we may say, "I knew her when" -- for Doris draws, sketches, and paints with unusual talent, but now we think of her as an exceedingly loyal and steadfast friend.

Her obituary doesn't even hint at this "unusual talent".

Doris, a popular belle of the 1920s.

Source: Social Security Administration Popular Baby Names

A chart-topper in the late spring of '41.

Tiedeman Pond Trail Stands Up to Heavy Rain

Middleton received more than a half inch of rain yesterday afternoon -- 0.6 inches to be exact.

Ordinarily, this stretch of the Tiedeman Pond Trail would be close to impassible for at least a day after this amount of rain. This summer's recently completed improvements have made a big difference in where the runoff goes.

The orange arrow indicates the approximate vantage point on the aerial map.

Let It Rest

Photo by Retiring Guy

Orange arrow indicates approximate angle of view.

Wisconsin State Senate District 21: Who's on the Ballot for the August 12 Primary?

Open seat. Incumbent not running for re-election.

Link to a different map

Public libraries in the 21st Senate District

Burlington Public Library
Community Library (Salem, Silver Lake, Twin Lakes)
Graham Public Library, Union Grove
Kenosha Public Library (service area)

Racine Public Library (service area)
Rochester Public Library

The 2 Republican candidates

Candidate biographies

The winner of the August 12 primary will face the Democratic candidate, Randy Bryce, in the November 4 general election.

About Randy:

Home: Caledonia
Occupation: Ironworker
Elected office/memberships: Executive board member, Milwaukee Area Labor Council (2013-), Political Coordinator, Iron Workers Local 8 (2008-)

John Lehman currently represents the 21st District. Lehman was first elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1996, where he served for 12 years. He was elected to the State Senate in 2006 but was defeated by Van Wanggaard in 2010. He regained the seat in a 2012 recall election.

Lehman is currently running for Lieutenant Governor.

Steitz ran against Sen. Robert Wirch (D-Kenosha) in a 2012 recall election in the 22nd Senate district and received just over 42% of the vote.

Related posts
Who's running unopposed in the Senate and Assembly? (6/16/2014)

August 12 primaries (State Assembly)
Assembly District 1. (6/17/2014)
Assembly District 4. (6/18/2014)
Assembly District 8. (6/19/2014)
Assembly District 10. (6/20/2014)
Assembly District 16. (6/20/2014)
Assembly District 19. (6/22/2014)
Assembly District 20 (6/23/2014)
Assembly District 22 (6/24/2014)
Assembly District 26 (6/25/2014)
Assembly District 27. (6/26/2014)
Assembly District 33. (6/27/2014)
Assembly District 43. (6/30/2014)
Assembly District 45. (7/1/2014)
Assembly District 51. (7/2/2014)
Assembly District 55. (7/3/2014)
Assembly District 58. (7/7/2013)
Assembly District 59. (7/9/2013)
Assembly District 63 (7/12/2013)
Assembly District 72. (7/14/2014)
Assembly District 75. (7/17/2014)
Assembly District 78. (7/20/2014)
Assembly District 81. (7/25/2014)
Assembly District 87. (7/31/2014)
Assembly District 97. (8/2/2014)

August 12 primaries (State Senate)
Senate District 15. (8/3/2014)
Senate District 17. (8/4/2014)